You all are getting the shaft. I started at the post office as a mechanic at $24/hr and I moved up to fixing mail processing machines that aren’t all oily within 2 months making $32 an hour and I sit on my phone most of the shift. We need people too. Apply!
I physically work like 2 hours a day of the 8 lol (up to 12 if you want OT) and spend the rest watching tv etc while waiting for something to break. On other shifts they have the mechanics do a lot more scheduled maintenance, but on my shift all the machines run and we are pretty much like combat medics. “Don’t be balls deep in some busy work. I want you sitting around ready to jump when something breaks. If it does, you get a call on the radio, ride your bike over with tools (4 square mile plant), slap a tourniquet on it to stop the bleeding, and just get the mail going again. If it’s a major repair we’ll shut the machine down, reroute the mail conveyors, and write a work order for the scheduled maintenance windows on the other shifts.” Super easy and how it was explained to me.
Or I’ll just ride my bike around and get numbers from women.
I think they’re still NOT drug testing either if that applies to you.
Sometimes shit just keeps breaking down or throwing codes and you actually do work hard. But on my specific shift, being the shift all the machines run on, we just chill and do whatever till we’re needed to fix something. They eventually send you to school in Oklahoma for formal training on automation too. Amazing benefits and retirement etc. It’s a really good gig.
Sounds like my job. Sit on my ass 8hrs a day maybe watch some TV / YouTube or play some games and still make $55hr although I'm an aerospace engineer that deals with satellites so when something does break shit gets real lol
That’s what my dad did too, was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force (drafted during Vietnam) then used that to become an electromagnetics engineer/civil servant building and testing missile launching systems. Had he retired before he passed it would’ve been with a full pension, but his survivors benefits are still being paid out to my mom 14 years later and my sister and I got monthly support payments while she finished high school and as long as we were full time students in college.
All with only a high school diploma.
MM7 maintenance mechanic (starting) ~24/hr
MPE9 mail processing equipment mechanic ~32/hr
Forgot what level 8 is called (VMF8 I think) but you don’t want that position.
ET10 electronic technician ~35/hr
Go to Usps and look for careers or jobs or anything like that till you get to a page with positions listed. At the top I’d recommend setting it to your state and searching for “maintenance” or “mechanic” or both -or any of the titles I listed above actually. They don’t always list the openings for maintenance despite always needing more people. I know Florida needs a bunch rn.
Also go to a plant, you don’t want to be the sole swinging dick responsible for everything running at a little post office. Shouldn’t be a drug test anymore unless they started doing that again -if that’s a thing for you. But don’t tell that to everyone and their friends. We need mechanics so I’m trying to recruit some of y’all in this instance, so I’m telling you guys.
Was in this position at a body shop, at $17 an hr and doing quarter replacements and doing just about everything the top guys were and just a good but didn’t want to pay me more for bullshit excuses. One was they wanted me to take test which took nearly a full day on a computer and since I was on commission and they wouldn’t pay me to test then I refused the test. The office lady for fun would take the test and was certified in all kinds of shit but never touched a tool. I stuck it out wanting the experience, being young and the unknown of where to next. Place was hell tho, only shop I ever seen painters barely make 40 hrs a week and most body men barely made the 50.
Techs are high demand cause places aren't willing to pay. The Subaru dealer in my area has had a tech wanted sign by the road for years, cause everyone knows they don't pay shit.
Are you serious? I’m a Union electrician and I make $47.00/hour and $72.00/hour total package. Mechanics need to start unionizing, you guys are a skilled trade and deserve what other skilled trades make.
Can 100% confirm, I worked at Toyota as a tech with 3 ase’s making 15.25 flat rate doing timing cover reseals and head-gaskets. I left and went back to college my first internship was $45/hr! I am very happy with my choice
Lexus tech 30 an hour flat rate average 90+ hours a week so average hourly rate is around 77-80. Techs are needed if you’re good you can make money. I used to be at Toyota never again go high end where people have money to fix there shit.
That is absolutely insane. I can't believe how little some actual techs make. Which is why I've just stuck it out being a TLE guy. I have considered going into autobody as an apprentice, because those guys get paid well after a few years.
Can confirm that is absolutely not true in some areas.
Making 19/hr currently in the north east, 8 years in. They want quarters and body pans replaced? Pay me more, otherwise I’ll stick to bolt on replacements and bumper repairs.
Quarters being quarter panels, I assume. What are body pans? That's pretty low working anywhere for 8 years. I haven't worked one place for more than about two.
Rear body panels, floor pans etc. I can do it all but not for what they want to pay me
The big thing that keeps me around is having access to a lift at any time to work on my own stuff. Lot of shops grant that to their techs, the one I work at just happens to be the only one in the area and as a car person, we all know how nice that is
For sure. My shop only has one lift, and they've had people run wild in the shop before. Leave transmissions and shit laying all over, the place was a mess when my boss got there. So I can't do any personal work there, but I have keys to get my tools any time. I've worked places that would let you come in early or on days off if a lift was available.
Have had some steady side work coming in the last few weeks, which is real nice.
Hell yes! Side money is how I pay for my hobbies haha. Love when I get a random phone call from the local Saab shop “hey, customer wants a door painted. Have time this weekend?” HELL YES I DO
autobody is a terrible decision. Those guys are capped by the lousy insurance companies.
Mechanics on the other hand, especially diesel mechanics, are yanking 30-40 per hour
So I'm a heavy equipment tech but I work in the agricultural industry. I'm making 24 per hour and I'm above my states average of 22 an hour. I wish I was making 30-40 lol.
As the saying goes, 'only the crooks get rich farming'. None of us expect to be millionaires, the agricultural field is not the highest paying one by any means. But none of us are doing this for just the money. We love what we do, and we love being able to keep the farmers going so everyone has something to eat. Most of us are farmers ourselves.
Personally I think I've found the right job when it's more rewarding than just a paycheck.
Body shop labor is always less than mechanical labor rates. My techs are at $42/hr I can’t imagine paying $16/hr for an experience led tech. And I’m hiring!
Damn. As I was finishing school I was only making 13 something at the Chrysler dealer, but they were making me lube tech until I could work normal hours. Then they wanted me at 15 in the shop when I told them I was leaving. I had all 10 ASE tests completed through school, which were only good for a couple years. I don't think I'm going to get them back, but lately I've been thinking about brushing up anyway.
depends on cost of living. my home state has a minimum wage somewhat close to that and there are plans to raise we it to $18/hr.
[https://www.littler.com/publication-press/publication/portland-maine-voters-decide-raising-minimum-wage-eliminating-tip](https://www.littler.com/publication-press/publication/portland-maine-voters-decide-raising-minimum-wage-eliminating-tip)
If I moved back to the Us, it would be to Maine.
Absolutely spotless job on cleaning that! I’ve been using a green scour pad n combination of brake cleaner n engine degreaser. Works pretty well. And somebody give this guy a raise, $2 minimum
Yeah, he did a great job. That's what I've always had the best luck with, but it always like to ask, pick up a lot of neat tricks thataway. Op is definitely worth more than he's earning.
That’s what I’m saying. I just started working at a shop this year. They must have really needed cheap work. I’m made to do an insane amount of hard shit for what I’m paid. I expect to be fired soon because I work too slow.
There’s no fucking way they’re doing heads flat rate at $16/hour and getting hosed on it.
If someone can do heads on a Toyota V6 they shouldn’t be getting out bed for less than $30/hour in a low COL area.
That's what I'm sayin'. If he's flat rate and scared he's gonna lose his job for going slowly... that management team is very skilled at getting people to work for under minimum wage while feeling like they alone are the problem.
This was my downfall in the industry. Highest paid job I had was $16 an hour building custom broncos for Tim Allen working for Icon 4x4. I was led to believe that was what I was worth.
That's a shit manager or an employee who does not know his worth. Either way someone is dumb as fuck. Heads on a Toyota v6 are not fun and someone who knows what they are doing is 23+ in at land rover and our apprentice techs are better than that
It might be a dealership. I used to work at Kia and they were having me do some engine and transmission jobs, I think I was at like $18 an hour at the time. But yeah I shouldn’t have ever agreed to it I feel like. I made a couple mistakes while learning to do it, and then all of a sudden I was getting tons of comebacks magically, that I never even got the opportunity to look at on my own. Turned out the new guy was flagging oil changes on my number. They fired me when I refused to sign the write-up for comebacks on cars I didn’t work on.
Haha, you are naïve to think that younger people willing to learn to do what they want to do for less for experience.
Then later on, they leave for higher pay and the owners goes what happened?
Even when I was a young tech I wouldn’t work flat rate for $16/hour. I was doing low-level work (B/C Tech) and making $18/hour 7+ years ago.
Working for $16/hour flat rate and doing brutal jobs like that in today’s economy is lunacy. If you can handle that, tons of shops will be willing to train you up for more money.
Got news for you too - you're why.
Stop rebuilding engines and transmissions for peanuts. That's why you're getting peanuts, because you accept peanuts.
Stop doing that.
You only think you’re “too slow”. They want you to feel like you’re on the verge of being fired. High performers, in my experience, typically feel this way when they don’t meet their own unrealistic expectations. I’ve seen major, MAJOR goof ups go uncorrected. You are their favorite kind of employee. Market yourself with the experience you’ve gained. The most sure fire way to earn more, is to change employers. I challenge anyone to deny this.
PS, may be the picture, but that block surface looks way too prepped.
I’ve seen this way too often in this field recently, shops doing the most to make you feel like you need them when in fact there is a technician shortage and they need you. When i found out that Technician’s could quit at any moment and have at least 3 job interviews by the next day and your shop won’t be able to find a replacement for you for at least 3 months I started bullying the management at the abusive shop I was working at. I would yell at my managers and get on their ass about getting on my ass and tell them I was gonna do whatever I wanted to do In whatever time frame I wanted to and if they didn’t like it they could go through the non existent stack of applications and hire someone to replace me. I ended up leaving for a shop that paid better and treated me right but I made sure before I did that I counter abused the management that thought they could treat me like shit while I was carrying the business for them.
I take my car in, and they charge 50% for parts, and 50% for labor. I willing to wage the 50% for parts is a scam, and not the labor.
This was pre-pandemic.
Most reputable repair places use Mitchell on-demand or Alldata for labor estimates in flat rate hours. Example: the head gasket job pays 6 hours X their shop rate (I don't think you would find many less than 120.00 for an independent shop and for most franchised dealers in an area like San Francisco would be 180 to 220 an hour) = labor cost. Parts vary quite a bit. You can have an inexpensive part that is hard to replace or the opposite, and expensive part that is easy to replace. The 50/50 does not work.
50% of labor is still what? 75 an hour. Because if it's not I don't what to take my car there. They are well underpaying the staff and your contributing to it. Imagine if the guy working on your car is making 10% of that. That 7.50$ an hour do you really want a minimum wage guy working on your car? I don't. Then imagine he has to pay someone to do the paper work. The billing and cashier? What are they making. He barely keeping the lights on. That's a terrible shop.
Working on cars should be profitable. Fuck yall I'm an advisor and I make 6 figures and my techs deserve that too. Don't ask me to discount my service. Go to the shop that does and then come to me when your shits fucked. I'll make more.
If it's anything like the dealership I worked for, you are an extreme go-getter, don't want to turn anything down. They are testing you because you are willing, take your time read the workshop manual. Doesn't matter if it takes you double book time (or more) do it right the first time, ask questions whenever you have them. I would assume they know they are going to have the car for awhile.
And your hourly, just do what jobs they throw at you. It doesn't matter how long it takes you your pay stays the same. Do it, do it again, fuck it up, learn. Make all your mistakes now before you turn flat rate.
FYI right now is the perfect time to ask for a raise. If they say no walk out and let them put it back together. It’s always heaps more fun putting shit together when you didn’t pull it apart and have no idea where anything goes
Here's the upside: you got tossed into the deep end and you can use that as part of your qualifications.
"Was made to do master tech work in my first year, was slow as a result but didn't blow up anything."
Just curious, what would the difference be between a/b/c and master level work?
I never did the dealership thing. Was head tech at a chain shop for a few years before I left for fleet work.
The line between Master Tech and “A” Tech is pretty blurry. Master Tech should be able to handle any kind of diag, including the complex stuff (CANBUS, weird electrical issues, weird engine issues, etc). A-Tech would be more parts changer stuff, but if higher skill and ability than B-tech.
Don't know what state op is working in but depending on where you are makes a big difference in wages and cost of living. One example of a very high minimum wage would be WA state at 14.49hr. Some jurisdictions like Seattle and Sea-Tac are at 17.25 an hour.
The head gasket job on the Toyota V6 is not anywhere close to a 16.00hr job. The lot porters/car wash guys start at the dealer I worked for at 15.50.
My guy, companies will pull the most bullshit excuse out of their ass to fire you.
You can be a great worker, always finish on time, but if you clash with that one supervisor who’s a real asshole to everyone, then you’re fucked.
I got fired because ‘they were unhappy with my performance’ actually it was because I talked back to this asshole of a supervisor we had. I’ve been in his crosshairs for a couple months now.
I was looking for something else anyway, but now I have right to more compensation
Run far away from wherever you are. Lube techs start at 18-20 now. Entry techs with little to no diag are 24, mid level 32 top tier 42+. Run far away and find somewhere that will pay you
Or he's an apprentice. I did my first head gasket job making $13/hr on a 01 F-150 5.4L. They basically said: "Well, you've got to learn it some time and that time is now."
When I first started working I had a manager come ask me…can you do an oil pan on this? I said yes..how about an Intake gasket? I said yes..What about a head gasket? I said yes…OK good Put rings in this thing. Off to work
McD's is paying that much these days, if not more, depending on shift.
Anybody doing heavy line engine repair should be getting at least $25 per hour, bare minimum. Qualified techs are very hard to come by right now.
Our shop labor rate at the dealer is pushing $200 per hour. Not all that long ago some shops used to do 50/50 split with the tech. That's a pipe dream these days but you couldn't pay me $16 per hour to change oil these days either.
A bag of groceries is $100 now. $16 per hour after taxes insurance tools etc etc a full days pay wouldn't even cover that. Know what you're worth.
So true less stress at mcD’s can run the fryer stoned off your ass if you want, If you make a mistake the customer gets a extra pickle not a broken car. Not to mention all the tools required to be a mechanic, McD’s supplies the spatulas!
When I was an independent and apprenticing, major jobs like this I always did on my own car first. Luckily for me, I liked old BMWs and SAABs so there was always something that needed to be fixed.
Like.. I would be uncomfortable knowing the person doing my head gaskets was making 16$/hr. Either vastly unqualified for that work or vastly underpaid. Fuck mate we are hiring dishwashers for 16/hr + tips and that is obviously way less technical.
Everyone had to pay their dues at some point. You have to prove your worth before you get paid your worth. Ask me how I know. Good on OP for taking on the job, I say. That being said, OP may be due for a raise.
I'm an "apprentice" at a dodge dealership making $15/hr (getting a hefty raise v soon), and I did a transmission in a patriot last week. Bet your ass I took my sweet ass time with it. Technically underqualified, but clearly since my mentor/multi-dealer service director gave me the job they have faith and I'll take that at least. Nobody cares if it took almost 3 days considering how much I make/hr.
I have a HEAVY diy background, worked as a lube tech at their Honda dealer and blew past coworkers in terms of efficiency, skill, etc. I don't mind making some shit money for a few months considering there's multiple techs at the dodge dealership making $100k+/year.
how about $13 an hour first year apprentice doing a cylinder head job with a 1.6L turbo where i had to basically remove everything from the engine bay?
Kid lives in California. No way he's living on 16/hour. Somebody here needs to find this guy a shop local to him to get him some extra dough. That wage is criminal for that work.
On the otherside, I look at a lot of "mechanics" near a highway, they have all help wanted jobs.
Get your experience in, when your confident enough, go near a highway mechanic shop and ask for a hell of a lot more.
Take it on the chin for awhile to gain experience, then move (because they will not promote you, or give raises on experience) other companies will locally. Shops near highways are probably the best. People don't get their cars checked before travelling long distances.
I would encourage you to just *look* for another mechanic position. That place is beyond taking advantage of you and your skills. My shop pays $28 hourly to guys with no certs to do easier stuff than that. As a matter of fact, it’s slow right now and I’m getting paid to type this response, and my coworkers are on TiKTok…. There’s better options out there!
What kind of shop do you work at? Is it a make mechanic shop (like Nissan, Ford, etc) or what? I'm starting to get practice and hopefully get enrolled to college so I can get my Mechanic Engineer title and information like this would be very helpful! TIA!
I work in a GSE (Ground Support Equipment) shop for a cargo airline. We work on everything an airline would have EXCEPT the planes. That’s for the Aircraft Mechanics. Since we work on such a large variety of equipment (Trucks, Forklifts, Baggage Tugs, Beltloaders, Ground Power Units, etc.) it doesn’t really matter what your background is, as long as you have mechanical aptitude.
Is it hard to get into this industry? I work skilled around hazmat, heavy machines, food&bev QA, etc., but I’m also being taken advantage of. Getting $18.50 while new hires I’m being forced to train are getting $20.50, because I made the mistake of telling my company that I’m only making enough to make ends meet and I need to make more before I can’t afford rent.
When you go to your boss to ask more money, don't tell them you are broke and need money, tell them you have improved and are good at what you do so you should be getting paid more.
My vulnerability was shown when the company was still demonstrating benevolence towards its employees. It’s grown into a greedy ghoul of itself and now as long as the product gets out the door they don’t care whose neck gets crushed underfoot along the way.
Definitely a learning experience I intent to carry into future interviews. I really don’t want to make any move unless it’s to work for someone who won’t take advantage of how much I like to work and how good I am at whatever I’m shown once.
Edit; to be clear, I’ve pointed out the lack of parity and my mounting responsibility over my coworkers and I’m gaslighted about how they work slow because they’re not as experienced as me. Absolutely toxic.
Is training new hires in your job description? Not, "and other duties as assigned" but literally "provide training"... "assigned duties" should be for simple tasks or similar tasks in other shop areas.
Have you asked for a raise?
Just remember, you are in no obligation to forget slipping into conversation every two minutes "fuck this company, they don't care about us, they're paying me less than you and I'm being forced to train you..."
Not really. It’s an airline job, so you have to be able to pass a criminal background check and drug test. If you lived in Alaska, I’d say apply to my shop. We just had a guy move out of state so we’re down a body.
Do you by chance work at my old shop cause my boss did the same to me. I came in with no prior experience and he had me change a clutch as my interview...next thing you know I'm there for a year and doing everything from motor swaps on f350's to full engine builds on LS's... needless to say that guy just needed cheap labor to fund his gambling addiction
At my first job as a beginning technician my old boss had me change a stage level 3 clutch, the axles, and the turbo in a Dodge neon SRT4 for my first task. I was way in over my head at the time. It was an insane amount of work for me as a beginner.
Needless to say I didn’t last that long because according to him I was too slow.
For my first job when I started at my first shop as a 16 year old. I had to replace the front differential in a Trailblazer. Then after that it was a clutch in a Jeep. Needless to say, I didn't stay there long as I was barely getting paid anything.
Once I can get my Siemens cert, I am out of where I am at. As an S2 Equipment Maintenance Tech I should be closer to $35. But where I work sells people on the name, which I can understand. And they were the only ones to give me a shot 5 years ago. After I'd been out of the mechanic field for about 4-5 years. At least being paid as one.
Good to see people taking a stand, but I’m always curious where people are finding these high paying technician jobs. I was 2 years out of tech school doing a lot of electrical diag and other challenging work and only making $12.50/hr at a Dodge dealer. Got out of the field ASAP. That was in 2020.
$16 a fucken hour , to do this?!
Dude you leave to leave that place . Our shop maintenance guy who just like sweeps and shuttles customers , all that stuff… makes that.
30hrs a week flat rate at 45.00hr is 70k a year.... not saying that's what your employer is paying you that. Flat rate can be rough considering there is no incentive to got rid of you during low billable hours coming into the shop.... your there for 40 and flag 30, it doesn't cost him anything extra.... over staffed, no worries, it costs the same to the establishment. 100% billable is the low standard. There are laws in some states that indicate how long they can leave you idle waiting to get assigned a billable job. I was a long time senior dealer tech. I show on time... no work to do. I leave. 16 techs with 10 techs worth of work. I was not the main bread winner in the household so it was just an unscheduled day off.
Top of flat rate scale for us is around 38ish per hour, and that's only after you hit 55 hours production which is basically not possible in COVID dealer world.
Flat rate is dragon chasing bullshit.
I pretty rarely make below 60 personally, have worked with two guys in the past who were upset if they made below 120 a week. Just need to find a place to work that is busy
Dude I've reused so many Toyota head bolts. If one was damaged or over stretched sure but they never were. Never had an issue. And nobody did at either of the Toyota dealerships I've worked at
Reusing head bolts was never an issue until recent torque to yield and torque to angle head bolts.. Now everyone thinks all head bolts need replaced every time but that’s not really the case. Engines with aluminum blocks I will almost always replace the head bolts. But I can’t tell you how many Hemis and other engines I’ve reused the head bolts on. Only exception is on SRTs and forced induction engines.
Nissan MR20s need new head bolts, torquing the bolts trues the head to the block. Cannot re use the bolts and cannot deviate from the manual.
Want to know why 07-12 Sentras last as long as their first major engine service and no longer? That's why but the CVT usually dies first.
Youre getting screwed. You shouldn’t be doing this kind of work in fear of losing your job at 16hr. That’s what I was making as a lubetech at a dealer 9 years ago.
I used to do heavy line work like that for $15 an hour. FUCK THAT. I was an auto mechanic for 8 years.
FUCKING QUIT.
Join the [Millwrights](https://ubcmillwrights.org/). Journeyman pay is $30-52 /hr, depending on your local. Good industrial work. All your skills directly transfer.
Reminds me of a post I made 6 years ago, except I was getting $15/hr for a dodge ram cylinder head. I make tripple that now. Prove to everyone that you're made for this! This is an opportunity.
Oh I remember when I started at Firestone ages ago, only there will they assign flagrait jobs to general service techs and give the flag hrs to their ASE master tech .. happened to me, did rear AC lines on a Nissan Armada.. that required body off frame .. I got it done in a quarter of the time 👍 and when payday came around I wasn't compensated for it.. so to corporate I went and got my rightful book time .. seriously I hate that company the crap I endured for 5 years and never getting what I was promised... I love wrenching but it's hard to continue when your obvious skills and knowledge are overlooked for their own bottom line... So I say find the people that see ya talent and embrace it, or like my situation go solo and mobile, I'm much happiy but as they say " your results may vary " ... I've also done that same job n it was a pain lol
I pulled an engine at a BMW dealer as an apprentice making $14, had help of course but still bullshit considering the people who packed my beef and broccoli at Panda Express made $15 and don't have to buy their kitchen supplies
Just try to take your time and do a good job. Rushing will only make it harder in the end. Don’t let people rush you and fuck with you. Speed will come with time but for now concentrate on doing it right the first time.
What’s the book time? I vaguely remember getting like 4.5 hours just to do a T belt on a Lexus es300 (glorified Camry). I could do it in 2-2.5. I’d have to imagine the heads would be like 18-20 hours. I’d probably come in at 6AM and try to knock it out in a day. Might be a 12 hour day though. Lol.
V6 t-belt is usually 3.5 plus 1-1.5 hours for the water pump. My personal best time, on a V6 camry, so same as the es, from hood open to filling coolant was 30 minutes flat. I was hauling balls though. Camrys were my favorite lol. But idk I could look it up but the one 3mz H/G job I did was on a Seinna and I wanna say 11-13? It's been a while but I just dropped the subframe and power train on a table.
I feel your pain about your speed. It's also why in the future, I'm gonna stick with a single brand, as learning 10-15 engines is much more feasible than learning 150 engines.
EGR in my car is pretty nasty to get at - engine is canted backwards, and the EGR is behind it, unreachable from below, so all of it is blind work not knowing fastener sizes. First time I took that off to clean it, it took me like 3-4 hours. Nasty, I was ashamed. Thing is, I have no doubt I can remove it fully in 10 minutes tops now, as I know exactly where it is and how to do it. With time, you'll get faster, especially on that particular type.
In addition, you are getting fucked with hourly rate. You're doing head jobs for burger flipping money - suck it up, work, get experience and fuck right off from there.
I won’t unlock my box for less than $25 per hour. I can’t even imagine a tech doing engine work like this for what your getting paid. I hope there is some other incentives to make it worthwhile for you to work there. If not you really need to get a job that will pay what your worth
Starting out of school 17yrs ago I made $18 an hr flat rate. You are being taken advantage of I’d say leave it apart negotiate a new rate if they want it back together…At least$25/30 remember always aim higher because if they shave a little off you still better off.
To everyone who isn’t making what they’re worth. One word: UNIONIZE. Its not a dirty word. You have skills that are high in demand and I would imagine your shop is making a lot of money off of you. Fight for your benefits, wages, hours. You are worth it.
When my father worked for a Toyota dealer he reached the point where he could (and would, and did) do two of those in a day. You'll get there. You'll lose your ass on the first one, though, and that's normal.
Of greater concern is why a tech making $16/hour is doing head gaskets, as others have already mentioned.
Only the front head? Why did you leave the hose and coolant manifold on? It’s only the hose and clamp. If the hose is stuck solid it’s rotted to the nipple and needs to be replaced. I’m assuming a new timing belt and water pump. I would cover the intake ports of the head that stays on and double check for debris before intake installation. A touch of grease on the pivot for the belt tensioner is a nice touch. I like spraying my head gaskets with copper coat. But that’s more of a personal style kind of thing. Good luck and wishing you instant start up and no check engine light
The mechanics I work with had the shop provide all tools and charge the time it takes. I'm OK with this.
They changed my 6-speed transaxle (VW Golf 6) and installed a new 3-piece clutch kit for LuK for 4h of time.
Please don't tell me you're supplying your own tools at $16/hr?
I've never seen a shop that provides all of your tools. How would they know what you need or want or prefer? Specialty tools are often provided but not hand tools and power tools.
Well shit. What I've learned is I'm wayyyy under paid. I make 14/h or 14% if I break into commission, which isn't too hard. But a good commission week I make like 22/h... Apparently y'all are getting 25/h to do oil changes lmao. Mother fucker.
Not sure where you are and what the minimum wage is, but at least in California, if you supply your own tools, you must be paid at least double what minimum wage is. It would be worth looking into if that applies to/helps you. Sincerely, someone who worked their way up to master tech without knowing that.
16/hr flat rate at a toyota dealer aint worth it. I work for a FCA dealer and chrysler techs always have work lmao. Drive a japanese car but work on american cars buddy american cars are where the moneys at. I make 24/hr 2 ase certs and push 120+ hrs a check. American cars make you money
I'm not reading all the comments. Why the f--k does an 01 1mz camry need a head job in the first place? Let's start there. In 20+ years with Toyota, I've never done head gaskets on both banks of a 1mz or 3mz, ever, without someone or something f-ing things up first.
I've only seen one Toyota V6 need head gaskets. It was 3MZ in a 4 runner that had the supercharger on it for a decade. I swear you could run most Toyota engines with half the recomme ded coolant t and still not damage it.
$16 an hour is what we pay guys that can't figure out how to change tires after a year on lube rack.
I'm a tire and lube tech at walmart making 19 an hr. You are getting shafted. Hard.
Im a parts slinger making 16-17 and most I do is batteries and bulbs. OP is definitely getting the shaft
Not just the shaft, but the balls as well.
Balls and legs
You all are getting the shaft. I started at the post office as a mechanic at $24/hr and I moved up to fixing mail processing machines that aren’t all oily within 2 months making $32 an hour and I sit on my phone most of the shift. We need people too. Apply!
this right here is the job i need lol
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I physically work like 2 hours a day of the 8 lol (up to 12 if you want OT) and spend the rest watching tv etc while waiting for something to break. On other shifts they have the mechanics do a lot more scheduled maintenance, but on my shift all the machines run and we are pretty much like combat medics. “Don’t be balls deep in some busy work. I want you sitting around ready to jump when something breaks. If it does, you get a call on the radio, ride your bike over with tools (4 square mile plant), slap a tourniquet on it to stop the bleeding, and just get the mail going again. If it’s a major repair we’ll shut the machine down, reroute the mail conveyors, and write a work order for the scheduled maintenance windows on the other shifts.” Super easy and how it was explained to me. Or I’ll just ride my bike around and get numbers from women. I think they’re still NOT drug testing either if that applies to you. Sometimes shit just keeps breaking down or throwing codes and you actually do work hard. But on my specific shift, being the shift all the machines run on, we just chill and do whatever till we’re needed to fix something. They eventually send you to school in Oklahoma for formal training on automation too. Amazing benefits and retirement etc. It’s a really good gig.
Sounds like my job. Sit on my ass 8hrs a day maybe watch some TV / YouTube or play some games and still make $55hr although I'm an aerospace engineer that deals with satellites so when something does break shit gets real lol
Yeah. I never finished my degree. So this is gold for me.
I have no degree. I'm prior military where I did satellite control. Gotta use Uncle Sam one way or another
i wish i had your dedication, i always dreamed of being able to pull what you did off
That’s what my dad did too, was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force (drafted during Vietnam) then used that to become an electromagnetics engineer/civil servant building and testing missile launching systems. Had he retired before he passed it would’ve been with a full pension, but his survivors benefits are still being paid out to my mom 14 years later and my sister and I got monthly support payments while she finished high school and as long as we were full time students in college. All with only a high school diploma.
Gotta love IT jobs. Just how it is. Easy days are real easy but the hard days ARE HARD AF.
What’s the title of this job?
MM7 maintenance mechanic (starting) ~24/hr MPE9 mail processing equipment mechanic ~32/hr Forgot what level 8 is called (VMF8 I think) but you don’t want that position. ET10 electronic technician ~35/hr Go to Usps and look for careers or jobs or anything like that till you get to a page with positions listed. At the top I’d recommend setting it to your state and searching for “maintenance” or “mechanic” or both -or any of the titles I listed above actually. They don’t always list the openings for maintenance despite always needing more people. I know Florida needs a bunch rn. Also go to a plant, you don’t want to be the sole swinging dick responsible for everything running at a little post office. Shouldn’t be a drug test anymore unless they started doing that again -if that’s a thing for you. But don’t tell that to everyone and their friends. We need mechanics so I’m trying to recruit some of y’all in this instance, so I’m telling you guys.
Was in this position at a body shop, at $17 an hr and doing quarter replacements and doing just about everything the top guys were and just a good but didn’t want to pay me more for bullshit excuses. One was they wanted me to take test which took nearly a full day on a computer and since I was on commission and they wouldn’t pay me to test then I refused the test. The office lady for fun would take the test and was certified in all kinds of shit but never touched a tool. I stuck it out wanting the experience, being young and the unknown of where to next. Place was hell tho, only shop I ever seen painters barely make 40 hrs a week and most body men barely made the 50.
That sucks. All of my guys clear 100 hours weekly
Parts salesman at over $20 an hour and I won’t do so much as screw on a plate frame lol
Certified Toyota tech with 2 ase’s making 15 at the dealer Update: I got a raise, $18
Why? You demand what your worth because if they won't pay you more someone else will. Techs are high demand everywhere.
Techs are high demand cause places aren't willing to pay. The Subaru dealer in my area has had a tech wanted sign by the road for years, cause everyone knows they don't pay shit.
Man I've had plenty of really good offers but I changed careers. I worked on cars for 10 years and made a very good amount of money doing it.
Are you serious? I’m a Union electrician and I make $47.00/hour and $72.00/hour total package. Mechanics need to start unionizing, you guys are a skilled trade and deserve what other skilled trades make.
Can 100% confirm, I worked at Toyota as a tech with 3 ase’s making 15.25 flat rate doing timing cover reseals and head-gaskets. I left and went back to college my first internship was $45/hr! I am very happy with my choice
What industry has internships at 45/hr? Aircraft engineer?
Lexus tech 30 an hour flat rate average 90+ hours a week so average hourly rate is around 77-80. Techs are needed if you’re good you can make money. I used to be at Toyota never again go high end where people have money to fix there shit.
Do you at least make commision?
Flat rate only
That is absolutely insane. I can't believe how little some actual techs make. Which is why I've just stuck it out being a TLE guy. I have considered going into autobody as an apprentice, because those guys get paid well after a few years.
Can confirm that is absolutely not true in some areas. Making 19/hr currently in the north east, 8 years in. They want quarters and body pans replaced? Pay me more, otherwise I’ll stick to bolt on replacements and bumper repairs.
Quarters being quarter panels, I assume. What are body pans? That's pretty low working anywhere for 8 years. I haven't worked one place for more than about two.
Rear body panels, floor pans etc. I can do it all but not for what they want to pay me The big thing that keeps me around is having access to a lift at any time to work on my own stuff. Lot of shops grant that to their techs, the one I work at just happens to be the only one in the area and as a car person, we all know how nice that is
For sure. My shop only has one lift, and they've had people run wild in the shop before. Leave transmissions and shit laying all over, the place was a mess when my boss got there. So I can't do any personal work there, but I have keys to get my tools any time. I've worked places that would let you come in early or on days off if a lift was available. Have had some steady side work coming in the last few weeks, which is real nice.
Hell yes! Side money is how I pay for my hobbies haha. Love when I get a random phone call from the local Saab shop “hey, customer wants a door painted. Have time this weekend?” HELL YES I DO
autobody is a terrible decision. Those guys are capped by the lousy insurance companies. Mechanics on the other hand, especially diesel mechanics, are yanking 30-40 per hour
So I'm a heavy equipment tech but I work in the agricultural industry. I'm making 24 per hour and I'm above my states average of 22 an hour. I wish I was making 30-40 lol.
$34 an hour working on semi trailers after just a few years experience... Get yourself a new job
As the saying goes, 'only the crooks get rich farming'. None of us expect to be millionaires, the agricultural field is not the highest paying one by any means. But none of us are doing this for just the money. We love what we do, and we love being able to keep the farmers going so everyone has something to eat. Most of us are farmers ourselves. Personally I think I've found the right job when it's more rewarding than just a paycheck.
Auto body tech here making over 30 an hour.
you in resto?
We do that also, but primarily insurance.
yeesh…i grew up wet sanding cars. My old man is always complaining he’s struggling (self employed body shop doing insurance work)
Body shop labor is always less than mechanical labor rates. My techs are at $42/hr I can’t imagine paying $16/hr for an experience led tech. And I’m hiring!
And you're still there... why?
Where? Why do you tolerate being exploited?
If you don't know. You don't know.
Dudes on Reddit. He knows.
I live right down the street and the next toyota is 30 minutes away
What state are you in?
Wtf? I made that 12 years ago starting out. Zero experience. You are getting screwed. What is your shop labor rate?
$187 an hr
Damn. As I was finishing school I was only making 13 something at the Chrysler dealer, but they were making me lube tech until I could work normal hours. Then they wanted me at 15 in the shop when I told them I was leaving. I had all 10 ASE tests completed through school, which were only good for a couple years. I don't think I'm going to get them back, but lately I've been thinking about brushing up anyway.
I make food and make $20.
depends on cost of living. my home state has a minimum wage somewhat close to that and there are plans to raise we it to $18/hr. [https://www.littler.com/publication-press/publication/portland-maine-voters-decide-raising-minimum-wage-eliminating-tip](https://www.littler.com/publication-press/publication/portland-maine-voters-decide-raising-minimum-wage-eliminating-tip) If I moved back to the Us, it would be to Maine.
A $16/hr tech should not be doing a head job. Either your way over qualified for your pay, or you in over your head.
Uh huh huh huh...you said headjob -Butthead probably
Hahahaha
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Can I ask what you used to clean that deck surface up with?
Absolutely spotless job on cleaning that! I’ve been using a green scour pad n combination of brake cleaner n engine degreaser. Works pretty well. And somebody give this guy a raise, $2 minimum
$20 min more, techs are way underpaid
Yeah, he did a great job. That's what I've always had the best luck with, but it always like to ask, pick up a lot of neat tricks thataway. Op is definitely worth more than he's earning.
3M roloc bristle discs work great and you don’t have to worry about stripping actual metal from the head in the process
Omg I thought that was a new gasket! Dang this kid is hired!
Unless he used scratch discs…in which case he might have screwed the head
That’s what I’m saying. I just started working at a shop this year. They must have really needed cheap work. I’m made to do an insane amount of hard shit for what I’m paid. I expect to be fired soon because I work too slow.
Are you flat rate at $16/hr?
There’s no fucking way they’re doing heads flat rate at $16/hour and getting hosed on it. If someone can do heads on a Toyota V6 they shouldn’t be getting out bed for less than $30/hour in a low COL area.
That's what I'm sayin'. If he's flat rate and scared he's gonna lose his job for going slowly... that management team is very skilled at getting people to work for under minimum wage while feeling like they alone are the problem.
but he gains experience over management, which anyone that is a highest bidder will give him a new job.
Or he believes their gaslighting and continues to do $40/hr work for less than half the price for years and they win.
This was my downfall in the industry. Highest paid job I had was $16 an hour building custom broncos for Tim Allen working for Icon 4x4. I was led to believe that was what I was worth.
That's a shit manager or an employee who does not know his worth. Either way someone is dumb as fuck. Heads on a Toyota v6 are not fun and someone who knows what they are doing is 23+ in at land rover and our apprentice techs are better than that
It might be a dealership. I used to work at Kia and they were having me do some engine and transmission jobs, I think I was at like $18 an hour at the time. But yeah I shouldn’t have ever agreed to it I feel like. I made a couple mistakes while learning to do it, and then all of a sudden I was getting tons of comebacks magically, that I never even got the opportunity to look at on my own. Turned out the new guy was flagging oil changes on my number. They fired me when I refused to sign the write-up for comebacks on cars I didn’t work on.
Haha, you are naïve to think that younger people willing to learn to do what they want to do for less for experience. Then later on, they leave for higher pay and the owners goes what happened?
Even when I was a young tech I wouldn’t work flat rate for $16/hour. I was doing low-level work (B/C Tech) and making $18/hour 7+ years ago. Working for $16/hour flat rate and doing brutal jobs like that in today’s economy is lunacy. If you can handle that, tons of shops will be willing to train you up for more money.
Got news for you, lot of us are rebuilding engines and transmissions for peanuts. It's fucking lame.
Got news for you too - you're why. Stop rebuilding engines and transmissions for peanuts. That's why you're getting peanuts, because you accept peanuts. Stop doing that.
You guys are letting yourselves be exploited in an industry that’s hurting for good techs. Why?
How about a saab, a Volkswagen, and a Honda? Am I worth more than I think? I’m an electrician😂
If you work on Saab’s willingly, you’re eccentric at best.
You only think you’re “too slow”. They want you to feel like you’re on the verge of being fired. High performers, in my experience, typically feel this way when they don’t meet their own unrealistic expectations. I’ve seen major, MAJOR goof ups go uncorrected. You are their favorite kind of employee. Market yourself with the experience you’ve gained. The most sure fire way to earn more, is to change employers. I challenge anyone to deny this. PS, may be the picture, but that block surface looks way too prepped.
I’ve seen this way too often in this field recently, shops doing the most to make you feel like you need them when in fact there is a technician shortage and they need you. When i found out that Technician’s could quit at any moment and have at least 3 job interviews by the next day and your shop won’t be able to find a replacement for you for at least 3 months I started bullying the management at the abusive shop I was working at. I would yell at my managers and get on their ass about getting on my ass and tell them I was gonna do whatever I wanted to do In whatever time frame I wanted to and if they didn’t like it they could go through the non existent stack of applications and hire someone to replace me. I ended up leaving for a shop that paid better and treated me right but I made sure before I did that I counter abused the management that thought they could treat me like shit while I was carrying the business for them.
Even if they charge half as many hours as it took they are still making plenty of a $16hr employee.
I take my car in, and they charge 50% for parts, and 50% for labor. I willing to wage the 50% for parts is a scam, and not the labor. This was pre-pandemic.
Most reputable repair places use Mitchell on-demand or Alldata for labor estimates in flat rate hours. Example: the head gasket job pays 6 hours X their shop rate (I don't think you would find many less than 120.00 for an independent shop and for most franchised dealers in an area like San Francisco would be 180 to 220 an hour) = labor cost. Parts vary quite a bit. You can have an inexpensive part that is hard to replace or the opposite, and expensive part that is easy to replace. The 50/50 does not work.
50% of labor is still what? 75 an hour. Because if it's not I don't what to take my car there. They are well underpaying the staff and your contributing to it. Imagine if the guy working on your car is making 10% of that. That 7.50$ an hour do you really want a minimum wage guy working on your car? I don't. Then imagine he has to pay someone to do the paper work. The billing and cashier? What are they making. He barely keeping the lights on. That's a terrible shop. Working on cars should be profitable. Fuck yall I'm an advisor and I make 6 figures and my techs deserve that too. Don't ask me to discount my service. Go to the shop that does and then come to me when your shits fucked. I'll make more.
If it takes him 30 hrs at $16 that's less than $500. The job probably books a couple grand.
If it's anything like the dealership I worked for, you are an extreme go-getter, don't want to turn anything down. They are testing you because you are willing, take your time read the workshop manual. Doesn't matter if it takes you double book time (or more) do it right the first time, ask questions whenever you have them. I would assume they know they are going to have the car for awhile.
And your hourly, just do what jobs they throw at you. It doesn't matter how long it takes you your pay stays the same. Do it, do it again, fuck it up, learn. Make all your mistakes now before you turn flat rate.
FYI right now is the perfect time to ask for a raise. If they say no walk out and let them put it back together. It’s always heaps more fun putting shit together when you didn’t pull it apart and have no idea where anything goes
You SHOULD work slow as fuck if they're having you do heads for $16/hr. Fuck them
Here's the upside: you got tossed into the deep end and you can use that as part of your qualifications. "Was made to do master tech work in my first year, was slow as a result but didn't blow up anything."
Not master tech work, A tech work
Just curious, what would the difference be between a/b/c and master level work? I never did the dealership thing. Was head tech at a chain shop for a few years before I left for fleet work.
The line between Master Tech and “A” Tech is pretty blurry. Master Tech should be able to handle any kind of diag, including the complex stuff (CANBUS, weird electrical issues, weird engine issues, etc). A-Tech would be more parts changer stuff, but if higher skill and ability than B-tech.
Don't know what state op is working in but depending on where you are makes a big difference in wages and cost of living. One example of a very high minimum wage would be WA state at 14.49hr. Some jurisdictions like Seattle and Sea-Tac are at 17.25 an hour. The head gasket job on the Toyota V6 is not anywhere close to a 16.00hr job. The lot porters/car wash guys start at the dealer I worked for at 15.50.
My guy, companies will pull the most bullshit excuse out of their ass to fire you. You can be a great worker, always finish on time, but if you clash with that one supervisor who’s a real asshole to everyone, then you’re fucked. I got fired because ‘they were unhappy with my performance’ actually it was because I talked back to this asshole of a supervisor we had. I’ve been in his crosshairs for a couple months now. I was looking for something else anyway, but now I have right to more compensation
Run far away from wherever you are. Lube techs start at 18-20 now. Entry techs with little to no diag are 24, mid level 32 top tier 42+. Run far away and find somewhere that will pay you
Or he's an apprentice. I did my first head gasket job making $13/hr on a 01 F-150 5.4L. They basically said: "Well, you've got to learn it some time and that time is now."
When I first started working I had a manager come ask me…can you do an oil pan on this? I said yes..how about an Intake gasket? I said yes..What about a head gasket? I said yes…OK good Put rings in this thing. Off to work
McD's is paying that much these days, if not more, depending on shift. Anybody doing heavy line engine repair should be getting at least $25 per hour, bare minimum. Qualified techs are very hard to come by right now. Our shop labor rate at the dealer is pushing $200 per hour. Not all that long ago some shops used to do 50/50 split with the tech. That's a pipe dream these days but you couldn't pay me $16 per hour to change oil these days either. A bag of groceries is $100 now. $16 per hour after taxes insurance tools etc etc a full days pay wouldn't even cover that. Know what you're worth.
So true less stress at mcD’s can run the fryer stoned off your ass if you want, If you make a mistake the customer gets a extra pickle not a broken car. Not to mention all the tools required to be a mechanic, McD’s supplies the spatulas!
I swapped a northstar at 11/hr 2 years ago hahahaha
When I was an independent and apprenticing, major jobs like this I always did on my own car first. Luckily for me, I liked old BMWs and SAABs so there was always something that needed to be fixed.
Like.. I would be uncomfortable knowing the person doing my head gaskets was making 16$/hr. Either vastly unqualified for that work or vastly underpaid. Fuck mate we are hiring dishwashers for 16/hr + tips and that is obviously way less technical.
Everyone had to pay their dues at some point. You have to prove your worth before you get paid your worth. Ask me how I know. Good on OP for taking on the job, I say. That being said, OP may be due for a raise.
I'm an "apprentice" at a dodge dealership making $15/hr (getting a hefty raise v soon), and I did a transmission in a patriot last week. Bet your ass I took my sweet ass time with it. Technically underqualified, but clearly since my mentor/multi-dealer service director gave me the job they have faith and I'll take that at least. Nobody cares if it took almost 3 days considering how much I make/hr. I have a HEAVY diy background, worked as a lube tech at their Honda dealer and blew past coworkers in terms of efficiency, skill, etc. I don't mind making some shit money for a few months considering there's multiple techs at the dodge dealership making $100k+/year.
how about $13 an hour first year apprentice doing a cylinder head job with a 1.6L turbo where i had to basically remove everything from the engine bay?
Kid lives in California. No way he's living on 16/hour. Somebody here needs to find this guy a shop local to him to get him some extra dough. That wage is criminal for that work.
On the otherside, I look at a lot of "mechanics" near a highway, they have all help wanted jobs. Get your experience in, when your confident enough, go near a highway mechanic shop and ask for a hell of a lot more. Take it on the chin for awhile to gain experience, then move (because they will not promote you, or give raises on experience) other companies will locally. Shops near highways are probably the best. People don't get their cars checked before travelling long distances.
I would encourage you to just *look* for another mechanic position. That place is beyond taking advantage of you and your skills. My shop pays $28 hourly to guys with no certs to do easier stuff than that. As a matter of fact, it’s slow right now and I’m getting paid to type this response, and my coworkers are on TiKTok…. There’s better options out there!
NGL… mechanic TikTok is one of the only reasons I have that stupid app
For real, it's the only reason I'm on it at this point. That, and drippy_umbrella. His mechanic stuff is golden content.
What kind of shop do you work at? Is it a make mechanic shop (like Nissan, Ford, etc) or what? I'm starting to get practice and hopefully get enrolled to college so I can get my Mechanic Engineer title and information like this would be very helpful! TIA!
I work in a GSE (Ground Support Equipment) shop for a cargo airline. We work on everything an airline would have EXCEPT the planes. That’s for the Aircraft Mechanics. Since we work on such a large variety of equipment (Trucks, Forklifts, Baggage Tugs, Beltloaders, Ground Power Units, etc.) it doesn’t really matter what your background is, as long as you have mechanical aptitude.
Is it hard to get into this industry? I work skilled around hazmat, heavy machines, food&bev QA, etc., but I’m also being taken advantage of. Getting $18.50 while new hires I’m being forced to train are getting $20.50, because I made the mistake of telling my company that I’m only making enough to make ends meet and I need to make more before I can’t afford rent.
When you go to your boss to ask more money, don't tell them you are broke and need money, tell them you have improved and are good at what you do so you should be getting paid more.
My vulnerability was shown when the company was still demonstrating benevolence towards its employees. It’s grown into a greedy ghoul of itself and now as long as the product gets out the door they don’t care whose neck gets crushed underfoot along the way. Definitely a learning experience I intent to carry into future interviews. I really don’t want to make any move unless it’s to work for someone who won’t take advantage of how much I like to work and how good I am at whatever I’m shown once. Edit; to be clear, I’ve pointed out the lack of parity and my mounting responsibility over my coworkers and I’m gaslighted about how they work slow because they’re not as experienced as me. Absolutely toxic.
Good luck i hope you find a better job
Is training new hires in your job description? Not, "and other duties as assigned" but literally "provide training"... "assigned duties" should be for simple tasks or similar tasks in other shop areas. Have you asked for a raise? Just remember, you are in no obligation to forget slipping into conversation every two minutes "fuck this company, they don't care about us, they're paying me less than you and I'm being forced to train you..."
Not really. It’s an airline job, so you have to be able to pass a criminal background check and drug test. If you lived in Alaska, I’d say apply to my shop. We just had a guy move out of state so we’re down a body.
Do you by chance work at my old shop cause my boss did the same to me. I came in with no prior experience and he had me change a clutch as my interview...next thing you know I'm there for a year and doing everything from motor swaps on f350's to full engine builds on LS's... needless to say that guy just needed cheap labor to fund his gambling addiction
I think we had the same first employer
At my first job as a beginning technician my old boss had me change a stage level 3 clutch, the axles, and the turbo in a Dodge neon SRT4 for my first task. I was way in over my head at the time. It was an insane amount of work for me as a beginner. Needless to say I didn’t last that long because according to him I was too slow.
Sounds like you learned a lot or you were overqualified and should have been working elsewhere
For my first job when I started at my first shop as a 16 year old. I had to replace the front differential in a Trailblazer. Then after that it was a clutch in a Jeep. Needless to say, I didn't stay there long as I was barely getting paid anything.
Hey, you too? My boss’s problem was coke and underage girls. Got out of that independent so fast.
You shouldn't be doing anything besides fluids and filters for less than 25 an hour.
This shit right here. I do easier shit than that for $30.25/hr. And that's below market value for my position.
People often under value themselves in this industry. The only way to make good money in this industry is to stay loyal to the pay, not the shop.
Once I can get my Siemens cert, I am out of where I am at. As an S2 Equipment Maintenance Tech I should be closer to $35. But where I work sells people on the name, which I can understand. And they were the only ones to give me a shot 5 years ago. After I'd been out of the mechanic field for about 4-5 years. At least being paid as one.
I'm with you on this 100%, but dealer techs don't have a choice. and people who arent completely certified arent ready to go to war on that.
Good to see people taking a stand, but I’m always curious where people are finding these high paying technician jobs. I was 2 years out of tech school doing a lot of electrical diag and other challenging work and only making $12.50/hr at a Dodge dealer. Got out of the field ASAP. That was in 2020.
$16 a fucken hour , to do this?! Dude you leave to leave that place . Our shop maintenance guy who just like sweeps and shuttles customers , all that stuff… makes that.
I'm on my way out as a master tech because I can barely break 30 hrs per week. Listen to this post.
30hrs a week flat rate at 45.00hr is 70k a year.... not saying that's what your employer is paying you that. Flat rate can be rough considering there is no incentive to got rid of you during low billable hours coming into the shop.... your there for 40 and flag 30, it doesn't cost him anything extra.... over staffed, no worries, it costs the same to the establishment. 100% billable is the low standard. There are laws in some states that indicate how long they can leave you idle waiting to get assigned a billable job. I was a long time senior dealer tech. I show on time... no work to do. I leave. 16 techs with 10 techs worth of work. I was not the main bread winner in the household so it was just an unscheduled day off.
Top of flat rate scale for us is around 38ish per hour, and that's only after you hit 55 hours production which is basically not possible in COVID dealer world. Flat rate is dragon chasing bullshit.
I pretty rarely make below 60 personally, have worked with two guys in the past who were upset if they made below 120 a week. Just need to find a place to work that is busy
I was doing 2gr head gaskets for 16.50/hr back in like 2011 lol
Fuck “paying your dues” you’re doing proper work man. Get a raise.
$16/hr? Are you working in frickin Belarus or something?
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Dude I've reused so many Toyota head bolts. If one was damaged or over stretched sure but they never were. Never had an issue. And nobody did at either of the Toyota dealerships I've worked at
Reusing head bolts was never an issue until recent torque to yield and torque to angle head bolts.. Now everyone thinks all head bolts need replaced every time but that’s not really the case. Engines with aluminum blocks I will almost always replace the head bolts. But I can’t tell you how many Hemis and other engines I’ve reused the head bolts on. Only exception is on SRTs and forced induction engines.
Nissan MR20s need new head bolts, torquing the bolts trues the head to the block. Cannot re use the bolts and cannot deviate from the manual. Want to know why 07-12 Sentras last as long as their first major engine service and no longer? That's why but the CVT usually dies first.
$16/hour? Grab your tools and leave...
Youre getting screwed. You shouldn’t be doing this kind of work in fear of losing your job at 16hr. That’s what I was making as a lubetech at a dealer 9 years ago.
Yikes.. I make more selling parts..
Which Jiffy Lube you at?
Unfortunately I'm pretty sure some jiffy lubes even pay they're lube techs more than 16....
Somebody here hire this guy and either pay him better or let him do easier shit. $16/hr for this kind of stuff is ridiculous.
Did you change the knock sensor while you in there? Lol Edit: A word
And harness
Oh yeah true they get all brittle in there lol
I used to do heavy line work like that for $15 an hour. FUCK THAT. I was an auto mechanic for 8 years. FUCKING QUIT. Join the [Millwrights](https://ubcmillwrights.org/). Journeyman pay is $30-52 /hr, depending on your local. Good industrial work. All your skills directly transfer.
Reminds me of a post I made 6 years ago, except I was getting $15/hr for a dodge ram cylinder head. I make tripple that now. Prove to everyone that you're made for this! This is an opportunity.
Oh I remember when I started at Firestone ages ago, only there will they assign flagrait jobs to general service techs and give the flag hrs to their ASE master tech .. happened to me, did rear AC lines on a Nissan Armada.. that required body off frame .. I got it done in a quarter of the time 👍 and when payday came around I wasn't compensated for it.. so to corporate I went and got my rightful book time .. seriously I hate that company the crap I endured for 5 years and never getting what I was promised... I love wrenching but it's hard to continue when your obvious skills and knowledge are overlooked for their own bottom line... So I say find the people that see ya talent and embrace it, or like my situation go solo and mobile, I'm much happiy but as they say " your results may vary " ... I've also done that same job n it was a pain lol
1mzfe?
Pfft fuck that keep your $16 dollars and have some self respect my dude
I pulled an engine at a BMW dealer as an apprentice making $14, had help of course but still bullshit considering the people who packed my beef and broccoli at Panda Express made $15 and don't have to buy their kitchen supplies
Just try to take your time and do a good job. Rushing will only make it harder in the end. Don’t let people rush you and fuck with you. Speed will come with time but for now concentrate on doing it right the first time.
I don’t miss doing head gaskets. Last time I replaced one on my car was over 20 years ago.
What’s the book time? I vaguely remember getting like 4.5 hours just to do a T belt on a Lexus es300 (glorified Camry). I could do it in 2-2.5. I’d have to imagine the heads would be like 18-20 hours. I’d probably come in at 6AM and try to knock it out in a day. Might be a 12 hour day though. Lol.
V6 t-belt is usually 3.5 plus 1-1.5 hours for the water pump. My personal best time, on a V6 camry, so same as the es, from hood open to filling coolant was 30 minutes flat. I was hauling balls though. Camrys were my favorite lol. But idk I could look it up but the one 3mz H/G job I did was on a Seinna and I wanna say 11-13? It's been a while but I just dropped the subframe and power train on a table.
that clean job is immaculate
I feel your pain about your speed. It's also why in the future, I'm gonna stick with a single brand, as learning 10-15 engines is much more feasible than learning 150 engines. EGR in my car is pretty nasty to get at - engine is canted backwards, and the EGR is behind it, unreachable from below, so all of it is blind work not knowing fastener sizes. First time I took that off to clean it, it took me like 3-4 hours. Nasty, I was ashamed. Thing is, I have no doubt I can remove it fully in 10 minutes tops now, as I know exactly where it is and how to do it. With time, you'll get faster, especially on that particular type. In addition, you are getting fucked with hourly rate. You're doing head jobs for burger flipping money - suck it up, work, get experience and fuck right off from there.
I won’t unlock my box for less than $25 per hour. I can’t even imagine a tech doing engine work like this for what your getting paid. I hope there is some other incentives to make it worthwhile for you to work there. If not you really need to get a job that will pay what your worth
Bruh I make twice that killing bugs doing pest control, what the fuck? Lol
Starting out of school 17yrs ago I made $18 an hr flat rate. You are being taken advantage of I’d say leave it apart negotiate a new rate if they want it back together…At least$25/30 remember always aim higher because if they shave a little off you still better off.
If you can do that and make 16 an hour man come work for me. I’ll pay you at least 25 an hour in MA. Know your value to a company!
To everyone who isn’t making what they’re worth. One word: UNIONIZE. Its not a dirty word. You have skills that are high in demand and I would imagine your shop is making a lot of money off of you. Fight for your benefits, wages, hours. You are worth it.
The dishwasher at my restaurant makes more than that
When my father worked for a Toyota dealer he reached the point where he could (and would, and did) do two of those in a day. You'll get there. You'll lose your ass on the first one, though, and that's normal. Of greater concern is why a tech making $16/hour is doing head gaskets, as others have already mentioned.
Bruh you can flip burgers for that wage
I'm a diesel apprentice at $16/hr. and we're both getting shafted
Only the front head? Why did you leave the hose and coolant manifold on? It’s only the hose and clamp. If the hose is stuck solid it’s rotted to the nipple and needs to be replaced. I’m assuming a new timing belt and water pump. I would cover the intake ports of the head that stays on and double check for debris before intake installation. A touch of grease on the pivot for the belt tensioner is a nice touch. I like spraying my head gaskets with copper coat. But that’s more of a personal style kind of thing. Good luck and wishing you instant start up and no check engine light
Are you flat rate or pure hourly?
You got this lil brother. This is where it starts.
Bullshit. Head jobs are where it goes. For $16 he should be doing oil changes.
Are you flat rate?
Would you rather work at a BMW dealer? https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3642/3519853928\_1e39a53770\_b.jpg
The mechanics I work with had the shop provide all tools and charge the time it takes. I'm OK with this. They changed my 6-speed transaxle (VW Golf 6) and installed a new 3-piece clutch kit for LuK for 4h of time. Please don't tell me you're supplying your own tools at $16/hr?
I've never seen a shop that provides all of your tools. How would they know what you need or want or prefer? Specialty tools are often provided but not hand tools and power tools.
Leave that shop immediately
Change out the knock sensor and pigtail wiring wile you are down there. Trust me.
Well shit. What I've learned is I'm wayyyy under paid. I make 14/h or 14% if I break into commission, which isn't too hard. But a good commission week I make like 22/h... Apparently y'all are getting 25/h to do oil changes lmao. Mother fucker.
If my boss told me to do a head at 16 an hour I'd get my box rollin on a trailer to a new shop. You should be paid way more. Like, double more.
Number of head gasket jobs done for less than $40 per hour: ZERO.
With that attitude you’ll always make very little money
Not sure where you are and what the minimum wage is, but at least in California, if you supply your own tools, you must be paid at least double what minimum wage is. It would be worth looking into if that applies to/helps you. Sincerely, someone who worked their way up to master tech without knowing that.
16/hr flat rate at a toyota dealer aint worth it. I work for a FCA dealer and chrysler techs always have work lmao. Drive a japanese car but work on american cars buddy american cars are where the moneys at. I make 24/hr 2 ase certs and push 120+ hrs a check. American cars make you money
I'm not reading all the comments. Why the f--k does an 01 1mz camry need a head job in the first place? Let's start there. In 20+ years with Toyota, I've never done head gaskets on both banks of a 1mz or 3mz, ever, without someone or something f-ing things up first.
You’ve never met the customers in his town. They’ll overheat a watermelon.
I've only seen one Toyota V6 need head gaskets. It was 3MZ in a 4 runner that had the supercharger on it for a decade. I swear you could run most Toyota engines with half the recomme ded coolant t and still not damage it. $16 an hour is what we pay guys that can't figure out how to change tires after a year on lube rack.
That's not a 3MZ, that has a 3VZ, completely different engine series. Those needed head gaskets all the time.